SEL Day 2025: Why to mark your calendar & how to celebrate with students

It seems like the international calendar commemorates just about anything these days: doughnuts, golden retrievers, even bubble wrap gets annual appreciation! If society can celebrate something as silly as packaging materials, then a designated date for mental health is more than justified. (Not to mention the research proving the much-needed support for students in this area.) 

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Established in 2020, Social-Emotional Learning Day (SEL Day)—also recognized by some for an entire week—is a global campaign supporting children’s academic recovery, mental health, and well-being. So far, it’s been championed by thousands of people across all 50 states in 2,300 schools and organizations, and its hashtag #SELday has reached 40 million views worldwide. 

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As a company dedicated to actionable K-12 student learning and support, Sown To Grow is on board to boost awareness of this important event, which takes place on March 3, 2025. Here's a bit more on SEL Day’s goals, impact, and a few easy-to-implement activities to help celebrate with your students, and share the message with your community.

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Goals with a Purpose: Why society needs SEL Day‍

With the goal to achieve 'better school, work, and life opportunities for all students,' SEL Day’s mission should be one that unites every educator. Now on its sixth annual celebration, the date becomes increasingly popular each year.

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The SEL Day 2025 theme, ‘Skills for Success→Ready for the Future’ fully resonates with priorities for the year as recommended by the true pioneers of this space, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). During the organization’s January webinar, “State of the Field 2025: Skills That Last, Impact That Endures,” thought leaders Dr. Timothy Shriver and Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel explained how and why emotional intelligence and mental well-being are key components of lifelong success.

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“When we talk about future readiness,” Dr. Samuel stated, “we're not only addressing the challenges that are facing us, but equipping the young people with skills and mindsets to survive and thrive.”

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As awareness for SEL Day continues to spread, so will the ability to showcase, advocate, promote and support these important efforts year-round.

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Enduring Impact: How SEL was built to outlast trends

Amplifying recognition for SEL Day is an excellent start to supporting student well-being, but the ultimate goal is to weave the mission more seamlessly into our daily lives.

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Dr. Shriver echoed this same sentiment in the previously mentioned webinar, during which he reinforced the idea that SEL and student well-being will outlast fads, and are here for the long haul.

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“This field [of SEL] was built to be durable,” Dr. Shriver explained. “And one of the things I hope we've done well is respond to the needs the teachers have for the support and integration necessary to make sure these skills can be taught in their classrooms, integrated into their existing curriculum, and made useful for their classroom management and their instructional strategies—not an add-on, but in a way, an add-in.”

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The same goes for SEL Day. Although the celebration may be bolstered on the designated day in March, the movement of caring for the whole child should be a persistent and consistent mindset maintained in classrooms each and every day.

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SEL Day Activities: Implementation ideas for any grade level or subject area

In terms of what to do to recognize the event on March 3, 2025, the SEL Day site compiled a variety of ‘toolkits’, many of which can be customized to either share with colleagues or use in class depending on your students’ grade level, needs and preferences. Here are a few of the toolkits to help generate implementation ideas:

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• This general activity suggestions document outlines a variety of ways your school or class can commemorate SEL Day.
• This project-based video activity provides an engaging outlet for older students to be creative and think outside the box about SEL.
• This policy-based letter writing activity enables students to consider the public service impact of SEL.
• This social media-based activity allows students to write posts (real or mock depending on your school’s tech abilities and permissions) on why SEL is important to them.

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If you’re looking for a ready-to-go resource to rollout with your students right away, check out this free lesson on SEL goal-setting from Sown To Grow’s CASEL-aligned K-12 curriculum. It’s easy to teach, relatable for students, and offers skills applicable for their lives now and into the future.

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The lesson also comes with a Parent & Caregiver Resource to keep loved ones in the loop, and continue SEL growth beyond the classroom. It’s formatted for a specific grade band, but it's super simple to make a copy and make it your own.

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Post-SEL Day Priorities: Why year-round practice leads to the strongest student outcomes

In our rapidly changing world, learning life skills to collaborate with others and become community leaders has never been more important. Helping students think critically, practice empathy, find their voice, and harness their power for positive purposes are abilities every young person must possess for the future.

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Although SEL Day is just a single experience in your 180-day school year, it’s certainly a valuable one worth commemorating before, during, and after Monday, March 3, 2025. We wish you all the best in your future SEL practice!

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🌱 To help your students gain even more momentum on improving social, emotional, and academic well-being, consider learning more about Sown To Grow’s easy and engaging student check-ins, personalized feedback, and built-in curriculum. Click below to connect! 🌱

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